Control valve

ABSTRACT

A control valve is disclosed with a plurality of outlets receiving fluid from a curved chamber filled from a single inlet. A seal equipped valve closure member is pivotally mounted in the chamber to connect selected outlets to the inlet or to vent the outlets to the atmosphere.

1 United States Patent 1 1 1111 3,747,640 Carlson 1 1 July 24, 1973 CONTROL VALVE 3,191,628 6/1965 ,Kirkwood et a1. 137 625.23 x 21,524 9 1858 St rt 137 625.22 [75] Wanton Jerome Mercer Island 30,176 9/1860 13:22am 137/62522 Wash 425,610 4/1890 Hawkins l37/625.22 715,113 12/1902 Mitchell etval. 137/625.22 [73] Asslgnee' giga ga $3 fl f 2,703,586 3/1955 Asker 251/306 x 2,856,952 10/1958 Stillwagon.. 251/306 x [22] Filed; Feb, 23, 1971 2,864,401 12/1958 Carr 251/303 X 3,228,653 1/1966 Trimmer.... 251/306 pp 118,091 3,284,045 11/1966 Kulisek 251/315 Related US. Application Data [63], Continuation of Set. N0. 803,756, March 3, 1969, Primary i -H nry Klinksiek abandoned. Attorney-Flehr, I-lohbach, Test, Abritton & Herbert [52] US. Cl. 137/625.2l, 137/625.31 [51 int. 01.... Fl6k 1/22 ABSTRACT [58] Fmld of 5 23??? A control valve is disclosed with a plurality of outlets 5 3 5 receiving fluid from a curved chamber filled from a single inlet. A seal equipped valve closure member is pivtall mounted in the chamber to connect selected out- [56] References Cited 0 y I l t h l t t tl t t UNITED STATES PATENTS ets 0t e in e or o vent the on ets o the a mosphere 1,671,069 5 1928 De Wein 251/305 x 7 Clnims, 11 Drawing Figures Pmmwm a. 747. 640

SHEET 1 [1F 4 INVENTOR- JEROME A. CARLSON BY 5947 1am; 70 21%;! '1' ATTORNEYS PATENTED JUL 2 4 I973 I SHEEI 2 BF 4 INVENTOR. JEROME A. CARLSON BY #M, wMA Q7wZ;

ATTORNEYS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention concerns a control valve and particularly relates to a compact valve structure having a plurality of outlets for distributing fluid received from a single inlet.

Control valves for aircraft or space applications desirably should be low in weight, highly reliable, and of as small an overall size as is possible consistent with the function of the valve. Desirably, several functions should be combined in one valve structure as a weight and volume saving measure.

Control valves in the art, including ball, plug and butterfly valve designs, have inherent limitations as to weight reduction and to the combination of several valve functions in a single valve structure. For example, to maintain pressure tightness, several seals are re quired in these structures for both the valve closure member and the shaft or like means for rotating the closure member., Furthermore, in the higher pressure applications the principal or main seals on the closure member require consideration asto their deflection characteristics when the seals are moved over the port areas. The size of the seal and the number of seals may be an important consideration in limiting reduction in valve size.

'A desirable feature not often found. in prior valve structure was ease of movement and evenness of friction or drag as the valve closure member was rotated to direct fluid from theinlet to the various outlet port areas. Smooth and even operation of a valve is especially desirable in the controls systems of aircraft.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND OBJECTS The invention in summary pertains to a fluid control valve having a body equipped with a fluid inlet and a plurality of outlets communicating with a fluid transfer chamber. A flap-like, valve closure memberis mounted in the chamber for movement along a wall portion thereof. Engaging the chamber wall is a seal provided on the closure member offset from the rotational axis of the closure. Groups of ports communicatingrespectively with the fluid inlet and outlets are arranged in the wall of the chamber along the line of travel of the closure member. I

An object of the invention is to provide an improved control valve which affords a plurality of control functions with one compact, light valve structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a control valve having an improved valve seal and seal support arrangement, wherein seal support areas are pro-- vided along the valve ports.

Another object is to provide a control valve of the type described wherein the main valve seal onthe valve closure member is mounted offset from the rotational axis of the closure member and arranged to eliminate the need for secondary seals on the closure member control shafts or the like.

Another object is to provide a control valve of the type described wherein a valve housing includes therein a fluid transfer chamber sealed with a closure member, a plurality of inlet and outlet ports for carrying a fluid being arranged in the walls of the chamber within an arc swept by the closure member.

Another object is to provide a control valve of the type described equipped to maintain the valve closure in a preferred position when the external control forces are neutral.

Another object of the invention is to provide a control valve of the type described which is simple in design, reliable in function, and low in manufacturing costs.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the specificiation below taken in connection with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of a control valve of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the valve in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view in the direction of thearrows 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view in the direction of the arrows 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view in the direction of the arrows 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view in the direction of the arrows 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view like FIG. 4 but illustrating the control valve provided with a cylindrical valve cavity;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view in the direction of the arrows 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a view of the closure member for the cylindrical valve cavity taken in the direction of the arrows 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a view like FIGS. 3 and 7 but showing the control valve provided with an ellipsoidal valve cavity; and I FIG. 11 is a view of the closure member for the ellipsoidal valve cavity taken in the direction of the arrows 11-11 of FIG. 10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT There is shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings a control valve, indicated generally 10, including a two-part valve body or housing 15 which is equipped with a fluid inlet 11 and four fluid outlets portion 12, 13, 14 and 16. The inlet and outlets are all equipped with means well known in the art for connections with associated fluid conduits (not shown) incorporated in a control system or the like. Each of the four fluid outlets of the valve 10 may serve to control a separate function in the associated control system. The valve of the illustrated embodiment was designed for use in an aircraft control system and the working fluid may be compressed air at pressures up to 400 psig.

As shown in FIG. 2 the valve body or housing 15 may be fabricated in half sections 17 and 18 and joined together with suitable fasteners such as the bolts 19 along a flanged periphery 21. All the fluid inlet and outlet portions may be arranged in valve half-section l8 and valve mounting pads 22 and 23 may be provided on the half-section 17. As shownbest in FIG. 2, a vent opening 24 is arranged in the flanged periphery and is provided to vent to the atmosphere selected ones of the outlets served by the valve 10.

The valve body or housing has a large cavity 25 therein defined by the inner spherical walls 26,FlGS.

3 and 4. A valve closure member or flap 27 having a generally flat circular surface 38 is mounted for pivotal movement along the spherical side walls 26, the member 27 being equipped with diametrically oppositely extending shaft members 28 and 29 mounted respectively in anti-friction bearing 31 and 32 disposed along a spherical axis 30 of the valve chamber extending perpendicular to the interface 35 of the half-section 17-18. The shaft 29 is equipped with splines 33 to receive thereon a control lever (not shown) for rotating the flap or valve closure member in the chamber 25.

An expandable sealing ring 34 having an outer sealing periphery conformable to the spherical walls 26 is arranged on the closure member 27 offset from the pivot axis 30 a distance greater than the radius'of the shafts 28 and 29, as may be seen in FIG. 3. This placement of the sealing ring 34 permits the establishment in the spherical cavity 25 of a fluid transfer chamber 36 shaped like a segment of a sphere. The transfer chamber 36 is sealed off from those portions of the valve body or housing containing the shafts and bearing which in prior art structures usually are each equipped with separate fluid seals. The arrangement of the sealing ring 34 with respect to the closure member 27 as disclosed herein eliminates the need for auxiliary seals on the shafts or bearings.

The present invention contemplates that the cavity 25 in the valve body may be provided with cylindrical walls 25; as shown in FIG. 7-9, as well as the spherical walls 26 illustrated in FIGS. 1-6. (Primes and double primes are supplied to reference numerals used in FIGS. 7-9 and FIGS. and 11, respectively, to designate parts corresponding to those illustrated in FIGS. 1-6.) In the case of a cylindrical cavity 25 or valve chamber, the valve closure member or flap 27' is generally rectangular in outline, as shown in FIG. 9, and is mounted for pivotal movement in the manner described above in connection with the flap member 27. Furthermore, the invention contemplates that the valve chamber may be provided with ellipsoidal walls 26", as shown in FIG. 10, and the flap member shaped in a complementary form, as shown in FIG. 11.

As shown in FIG. 4, the sealing ring 34 may be pressure balanced from the fluid transfer chamber 36, e.g., pressure from the chamber 36 being applied to the side of the seal ring 34 opposite from the sealing surface through the overlapped portions in a manner well understood in the art as shown at 37 so that the expandable ring portions are urged outwardly into sealing engagement against the side walls 26. As shown, the closure member or flap 27 to the side of the pivot axis 30 opposite the transfer chamber 36 may be provided with a counterweight 39 to afford a neutral" feel of low torque or drag when the flap is rotated. The counterweight 39 serves to maintain the valve closure in a preferred position (such as illustrated in FIG. 4) with respect'to certain of the groups of ports when the external control forces are neutral. This assumes the valve is placed in the desired position on theassociated structure so that the combined forces ofgravity and fluid pressure will cause thc closure member to seek the preferred position.

In the spherical sidewalls 26 of the cavity 25 five groups of generally rectangular ports 46, 47, 48, 49 and 51 are provided as shown in FIG. 3 and 4. The group of ports 46 is in communication with a manifold 56 provided in the valve body and the manifold 56 is in communication with the outlet 16, FIG. 1. Similarly, the group of ports 47 communicates with a manifold 57 which is in communication with the outlet 14. The group of ports 48 is in communication with a manifold 58 which is in communication with the inlet 11. The group of ports 49 is in communication with a manifold 59 which is in communication with the outlet 13. The group of ports 51 is in communication with a manifold 61 which is in communication with the outlet 12.

As may be seen from FIG. 3-5, there is between each port in a group a seal supporting land or seat 66 serving to support the ring seal as it traverses a group of ports. The lands or seats preferably are formed to the radius of the spherical walls 26. Providing for support of the seal in the port area along a plurality of spaced areas permits utilization of a ring seal having a smaller radial cross section that would otherwise be the case.

The ports of each group are elongated in the general direction of the pivot axis 30 of the flap 27 and are arranged along an arc ofa circular plane passing through a circular plane of the sealing ring indicated by the broken line marked 40 (FIG. 3), this plane being parallel to the spherical and pivot axis 30. This arrangement permits the sealing ring to open and close simultaneously all the ports in a group with but a small rotational movement of the closure member. While traversing the ports the sealing ring is supported against deflection into the ports by the seal supporting lands 66 intermediate adjacent ports in a group.

OPERATION The valve closure member or flap 27 may be pivoted about the axis 30 in either direction as indicated by the arrow 67 in FIG. 4. Upon rotation of the closure the offset seal ring is urged along the spherical wall 26 to uncover, for example, the group of ports 51 associated with the manifold 61 and outlet connection 12. In the condition illustrated in FIG. 4, fluid under pressure entering the fluid transfer chamber 36 through the groups of ports 48 will permit pressure to be applied to a system communicating with the manifold 61 and its associated outlet 12 as well as to a system communicating with the manifold 59 and its associated outlet 13. This permits two functions or systems to be controlled when the flap is in the position of FIG. 4. Similarly, when the closure member or flap is rotated counterclockwise to the 12 oclock position as viewed in FIG. 4, the fluid transfer chamber then embraces three groups of ports 46-48, permitting control of two other systems associated with outlets 14 and 16.

A portion of the valve body opposite the fluid transfer chamber is vented by the opening 24 and this portion of the valve may be considered a pressure-release chamber. When the flap member is rotated counterclockwise to the 2 o'clock position as viewed in FIG. 4, the groups of ports 51 is no longer embraced in the fluid transfer chamber, but the system associated with the manifold 61 and ports 51 then communicate with the pressure-release chamber and is vented to the atmosphere through the vent opening 24. The four systems associated with the four outlet manifolds and the corresponding outlets 13-16 may each be vented to the atmosphere by appropriate movement of the closure member 27. Stops (not shown) may be provided in association with the mechanism (not shown) for rotating control shaft 29 to limit rotation of the closure member so that the inlet will not discharge through the vent.

The spherical chamber 25 provided in the valve body is inherently strong, and is highly resistant to deformation from internal pressure, such as exists in the fluid transfer chamber 36, thus minimizing the risk of leaks and rupture of the valve body. The valve has a minimum number of parts and particularly eliminates the need for any shaft seals. Consequently a low manufacturing cost and a high reliability is possible with this invention.

While the preferred form of the invention has been disclosed above it will be apparent that modifications will occur to those persons skilled in the art but it will be understood that the invention will not be so limited to that specifically disclosed herein but only to the spirit and scope of the language in the following claims.

I claim:

l. A control valve including a valve body, first means on said valve body defining a plurality of fluid outlets, second means on said valve body defining a fluid inlet, said valve body having a cavity therein, a flap member spanning said cavity, shaft means serving to mount said flap member in said cavity for movement about a pivot axis, said cavity having side walls shaped generally spherically with respect to the pivot axis of said flap member, sealing means arranged about the periphery of said flap member and engaging the side walls of said cavity establishing therein a first, pressurizeable fluid transfer chamber on one side of said flap member and a second, pressure-release chamber on the other side of said flap member, means on the side walls of said fluid transfer chamber defining a first group of ports in com munication with said inlet means, and further means on the side walls of said fluid transfer chamber defining a plurality of second groups of ports, each of said second groups of ports being in communication with one of said outlet means, said valve body having a vent opening therein in communication with said pressurerelease chamber, said shaft means being equipped for engagement with means exterior to said valve to actuate said flap member serving to pivot the same within said cavity so as to selectively include or exclude certain of said second groups of ports from said fluid transfer chamber and to exclude or include certain of said second groups of ports from said pressure-release chamber.

2. A control valve comprising a valve body formed in at least two sections that when joined together define therein a cavity having side walls curved spherically with respect to an axis extending through said body, first means on said valve body defining a plurality of fluid outlets, second means on said valve body defining a fluid inlet, a generally circular flap member spanning said spherical cavity, shaft means serving to mount said flap member in said cavity for pivotal movements about said axis, ring-like sealing means mounted on the pe riphery of said circular flap member and offset from said axis a distancegreater than the radius of said shaft means, said sealing means engaging the side walls of said cavity establishing therein a first pressurizeable fluid transfer chamber on one side of said flap member and a second pressure-release chamber on the other side of said flap member, means on the side walls of said fluid transfer chamber defining a first group of ports in communication with said inlet means, and further means on the side walls of said fluid transfer chamher defining a plurality of second groups of ports, the ports in each group being elongated in the general direction of said axis and spaced apart along an arc of an imaginary circular plane passing through said ring-like sealing means, said valve body having a vent opening therein in communication with said pressure-release chamber, said shaft means being engagable with means exterior of said valve body to actuate said flap member serving to pivot the same within said cavity so as to selectively include or exclude certain of said second groups of ports from said fluid transfer chamber and to exclude or include certain of said second groups of ports from said pressure-release chamber.

3. The valve of claim 2 wherein said flap member to one side of the pivot axis thereof is provided with counter-weight means for positioning said flap member in a preferred position with respect to certain of said groups of ports when the external control forces on said valve are neutral.

4. The control valve in claim 2 wherein said valve body is provided with a passageway extending between said inlet means and one of the groups of ports, and a passageway extending between each outlet means and each group of ports respectively communicating therewith.

5. The control valve of claim 2. wherein the ports of v at least oneof said groups of ports are generally rectilinear in outline and are spaced apart along the side walls of said chamber to provide between adjacent ports seal supporting lands.

6. A fluid distribution valve comprising a hollow body member, said body member having an inner surface defining a hollow inner chamber and an outer surface surrounding said inner surface, said hollow inner chamber having a generally central axis therethrough, said inner surface of said hollow chamber being formed as a surface revolution about said central axis, shaft means rotatable with respect to said body extending coaxially with said central axis, said body member having ports therethrough extending from said inner surface through said outer surface, valve means connected to said shaftmeans and spanning said inner chamber, said valve means including sealing means arranged on said valve means in a general plane offset from the pivot axis of said shaft means a distance greater than the radius of said shaft means, said sealing means having a sealing surface generally conforming to the cross section of said inner chamber and sealingly engaging the inner surface of said chamber to divide said hollow inner chamber into at least two fluidically separated spaces.

7. The valve of clalm 6 wherein means on the inner surface of said chamberdefine a first group of ports, and further means on the inner surface defining second groups of ports, each of said first group of ports being in communication with a valve inlet means on'said valve body, and each of said second groups of ports being in communication with one of a number of valve outlet means on said valve body, all of said groups of ports being inlcudable into one of said two fluidically separated spaces upon rotation of said valve means.

t k l 

1. A control valve including a valve body, first means on said valve body defining a plurality of fluid outlets, second means on said valve body defining a fluid inlet, said valve body having a cavity therein, a flap member spanning said cavity, shaft means serving to mount said flap member in said cavity for movement about a pivot axis, said cavity having side walls shaped generally spherically with respect to the pivot axis of said flap member, sealing means arranged about the periphery of said flap member and engaging the side walls of said cavity establishing therein a first, pressurizeable fluid transfer chamber on one side of said flap member and a second, pressure-release chamber on the other side of said flap member, means on The side walls of said fluid transfer chamber defining a first group of ports in communication with said inlet means, and further means on the side walls of said fluid transfer chamber defining a plurality of second groups of ports, each of said second groups of ports being in communication with one of said outlet means, said valve body having a vent opening therein in communication with said pressure-release chamber, said shaft means being equipped for engagement with means exterior to said valve to actuate said flap member serving to pivot the same within said cavity so as to selectively include or exclude certain of said second groups of ports from said fluid transfer chamber and to exclude or include certain of said second groups of ports from said pressure-release chamber.
 2. A control valve comprising a valve body formed in at least two sections that when joined together define therein a cavity having side walls curved spherically with respect to an axis extending through said body, first means on said valve body defining a plurality of fluid outlets, second means on said valve body defining a fluid inlet, a generally circular flap member spanning said spherical cavity, shaft means serving to mount said flap member in said cavity for pivotal movements about said axis, ring-like sealing means mounted on the periphery of said circular flap member and offset from said axis a distance greater than the radius of said shaft means, said sealing means engaging the side walls of said cavity establishing therein a first pressurizeable fluid transfer chamber on one side of said flap member and a second pressure-release chamber on the other side of said flap member, means on the side walls of said fluid transfer chamber defining a first group of ports in communication with said inlet means, and further means on the side walls of said fluid transfer chamber defining a plurality of second groups of ports, the ports in each group being elongated in the general direction of said axis and spaced apart along an arc of an imaginary circular plane passing through said ring-like sealing means, said valve body having a vent opening therein in communication with said pressure-release chamber, said shaft means being engagable with means exterior of said valve body to actuate said flap member serving to pivot the same within said cavity so as to selectively include or exclude certain of said second groups of ports from said fluid transfer chamber and to exclude or include certain of said second groups of ports from said pressure-release chamber.
 3. The valve of claim 2 wherein said flap member to one side of the pivot axis thereof is provided with counter-weight means for positioning said flap member in a preferred position with respect to certain of said groups of ports when the external control forces on said valve are neutral.
 4. The control valve in claim 2 wherein said valve body is provided with a passageway extending between said inlet means and one of the groups of ports, and a passageway extending between each outlet means and each group of ports respectively communicating therewith.
 5. The control valve of claim 2 wherein the ports of at least one of said groups of ports are generally rectilinear in outline and are spaced apart along the side walls of said chamber to provide between adjacent ports seal supporting lands.
 6. A fluid distribution valve comprising a hollow body member, said body member having an inner surface defining a hollow inner chamber and an outer surface surrounding said inner surface, said hollow inner chamber having a generally central axis therethrough, said inner surface of said hollow chamber being formed as a surface revolution about said central axis, shaft means rotatable with respect to said body extending coaxially with said central axis, said body member having ports therethrough extending from said inner surface through said outer surface, valve means connected to said shaft means and spanning said inner chamber, said valve means includiNg sealing means arranged on said valve means in a general plane offset from the pivot axis of said shaft means a distance greater than the radius of said shaft means, said sealing means having a sealing surface generally conforming to the cross-section of said inner chamber and sealingly engaging the inner surface of said chamber to divide said hollow inner chamber into at least two fluidically separated spaces.
 7. The valve of claIm 6 wherein means on the inner surface of said chamber define a first group of ports, and further means on the inner surface defining second groups of ports, each of said first group of ports being in communication with a valve inlet means on said valve body, and each of said second groups of ports being in communication with one of a number of valve outlet means on said valve body, all of said groups of ports being inlcudable into one of said two fluidically separated spaces upon rotation of said valve means. 